So farewell then JD Salinger

[User]

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

91. A good innings as they say. And left a legacy - more than most folks.

 

[Aperitif]

RIP him. I remember reading that book, Catcher in the Rye, at school. I should probably read it again to appreciate it a little more. Had a silver cover I think. Also read Hunter S Thompson Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas around about the same time - tales of oddity in America...
Trying to remember the name of the third author that sprang to mind - writing about the American way...not Thurber but ...arrgh help!

 

[Watt-O]

Updike?

 

[Greedo]

RIP JD

Cather In The Rye was the first book I ever read that I wasn't forced to read. Special place in my heart for that reason. Not quite Mark Chapman territory special but still. I remember it fondly

 

[Aperitif]

Updike?

See! CycleChat is perfect! Thanks Watt-o

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Fear And Loathing is still a fantastic book. I read it every year to stay sane!

Reading it at the moment

JDS was going to publish a new book wasn't he? I seem to recall having it on pre-order for a few years, years ago - never happened...

RIP

 

[Danny]

I have to say I never thought that Catcher In The Rye was that great.

Was I was missing something?

 

[thegrumpybiker]

I have to say I never thought that Catcher In The Rye was that great.

Was I was missing something?

You're not the only one. Was actually going to add it to the relevant part of my overrated/underrated thread. Along with On The road by Kerouac.

 

[Danny]

You're not the only one. Was actually going to add it to the relevant part of my overrated/underrated thread. Along with On The road by Kerouac.

At least Karouac inspired a great song by Ten Thousand Maniacs.

 

[rich p]

I loved Catcher in the Rye but maybe you had to be a certain age in a certain era.
Franny and Zooey went a bit off the wall though!

I have never read an Updike - someone recommend me a good one to start on.

 

[mangaman]

The Catcher was great I think.

Before he wrote it he wrote "9 stories" - obviously 9 short stories, for which he was well known in the States berore "The Catcher" came out. Some of the best short stories I know.

The 9 stories and the Catcher connect together. They explain his disallusianment with WW2 and post war USA and his shift to Eastern religions.

His later stuff I agree is too much for me, but read "9 stories". "The Laughing man" and "De Daumier Smiths's blue period" are 2 of the funniest yet moving short stories I've ever read

 

[atbman]

He stole my idea for a book about the trials and tribulations of a teenage short order cook called Ketchup on the Rye

 

[Aperitif]

I loved Catcher in the Rye but maybe you had to be a certain age in a certain era.
Franny and Zooey went a bit off the wall though!

I have never read an Updike - someone recommend me a good one to start on.

Couples is the only one I 'read' - probably need to read again to appreciate the nuance outside of the sex. It took its place in my bookstash with Portnoys Complaint and Last Exit to Brooklyn...

 

[Fnaar]

I loved Catcher in the Rye but maybe you had to be a certain age in a certain era.
Franny and Zooey went a bit off the wall though!

I also read "Raise High the Roof Beam Carpenter" and "Seymour: An introduction". Quite good, but would need to read them again, really